Driveways are not only a very functional necessity in most properties, but they are also a centerpiece of the exterior of your home. So, both the functionality and the curb appeal of your home could be impacted by the paving material you choose for your driveway.
This isn’t a simple decision because there are many types of paving materials out there and making the wrong decision means you’re substantially damaging the value of your property. This is precisely why we wrote this article.
We’ll help you make the right decision for your home by going through the criteria you should use to judge paving materials, and then, we’ll compare and contrast some of the most commonly used paving materials on the market.
What Criteria Should You Judge Paving Materials By?
To learn which paving material is right for your home, you have to have a set of criteria to judge them by. In our opinion, there are three broad criteria you should use to make an informed decision.
#1 Functionality
First and foremost, homes need a driveway due to its functionality. They are not only used to make the movement of your car from your garage to the outdoors possible, but they can also act as a pathway through your garden.
How easy is it to drive on it? How easy is it to walk on it? Would the driveway require regular maintenance if my car is especially heavy? Will my kids be safe if they play on it? These are a set of example questions you need to ask yourself to learn the functionality of particular paving material.
#2 Style
After functionality comes style. As the driveway likely connects your garage, garden, and the outdoors, it occupies a central place in your home. The curb appeal of your home, the first impressions of your visitors, and likely the value of the home all will partly depend on the driveway.
Different paving materials give away entirely different aesthetics. A driveway created from asphalt will look very different from a driveway created from concrete. This is why you should pay attention to how the design, color, and texture of your driveway go with the rest of your home’s design and style.
#3 Cost
Cost is also an important factor that you shouldn’t overlook. Building a driveway can cost anywhere between 3 thousand to 10 thousand, which is no small sum. Making the right decision is crucial here because you’ll not only recoup but make money on the investment in increases in the value of your home.
One of the significant determinators of the cost is the paving material. Using gravel stones will cost you substantially less than using brick pavers. You have to choose one that makes sense for your budget.
Most Commonly Used Paving Materials: How Do They Stack Up?
Now that we went over the main criteria you should judge paving materials by, it is time to briefly go into the main paving materials on the market. It is important to stress that there is no silver bullet here — each paving material shines in specific projects.
#1 Concrete
Concrete is one of the most commonly used paving materials, and this is because of a few very real advantages:
- Concrete is easily moldable into different shapes and sizes, which gives you more control and allows you to truly make your driveway unique.
- Concrete lasts a long time and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, which cuts down on costs in the long run.
This doesn’t mean concrete is perfect, however:
- Despite its lower maintenance cost, concrete still remains one of the more expensive options.
- Concrete is stainable, which means it can be ruined if you’re not careful.
#2 Asphalt
When most people hear ‘driveway’, they immediately think of an asphalt road. This is due to how overwhelmingly common asphalt driveways are. It has been a traditional and safe choice for homeowners for decades, and this is due to a few reasons:
- Asphalt is inexpensive and durable. It withstands extreme temperatures quite well.
- Asphalt lasts for decades with constant maintenance.
But, again, it isn’t without its drawbacks:
- ‘Constant maintenance’ was the key phrase in its last advantage. Asphalt is durable, but only if you make sure you constantly maintain it.
- Asphalt only reflects 30% of the light it receives, which can cause significant urban heat, especially if you live in hotter climates.
#3 Chip
Tar-and-chip driveways are a common, and increasingly popular, type of driveway. They’re made by laying down a bed of gravel, pouring asphalt on it, and then adding stones to the mixture and pressing it to make a cohesive whole. It is distinguished by its light color and rough texture, and there are a few reasons why you should want to have it in your home:
- Due to being less common, this sort of driveway makes your home look more unique.
- Due to the rough surface, it is safer to walk on and looks more natural in a garden.
It comes with serious disadvantages as well:
- Its life is about half that of asphalt at 10 years, which speaks to its lower durability.
- It can break off easier than other types of driveways.
#4 Pavers
You can create amazing driveways by using paving stones, be they concrete, brick, or cobblestone. These are popular because they look amazing and natural in a garden, and they complement the aesthetics of classically designed homes.
They certainly offer a few great advantages:
- One of the most durable options, with paver driveways often lasting for decades.
- Due to its modular nature, it is very easily repairable when a paving brick breaks.
You shouldn’t forget about the drawbacks, though:
- If not correctly installed, pavers can come loose, and this will ruin your entire driveway. You should look at our projects using paving stones in saskatoon to learn how a professional job is done.